Inspirational Corner

Who is your association?

When you think of the word association what comes to your mind? The dictionary describes association as a group of people organized for a joint purpose.

Matthew 7:16 says by their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?

Who is your association?

When I was in high school I use to hand with what I thought were good friends one of them was a prostitute. I hung with her not thinking anything of this kind of friendship and how it could harm me. Then one day I was approached by a guy who asked me what my rate was I said what are your talking about and he said aren’t you friends with that girl I said yes but that is not what I do he was very surprised and asked me why do I hang with her. It wasn’t until then I understood what my grandmother was telling me when she said I should not be her best friend.

After I got baptized people started asking me if I went to church instead or I see God in your life.

John 15:1-8 says,

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. ²He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes^[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. ³You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.⁴Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

⁵“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. ⁷If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

In order to bear fruit of Jesus you have to abide with him. This does not mean you do not talk to these people for your mission is to tell them about Christ and do not look down upon them but should they be your best friend the answer is no. It is important to know that once we are joined in Christ our association is with God. That means because you are around Christ you act like Christ and people see Christ in you. You know you can be around someone so long you look alike our goal is to be around Jesus so much that we look alike.

When your association is with God all things are possible when your association is with man everything becomes impossible for example, you say I can’t get over this situation so why try? I can’t win, that can’t possibly happen, its no use, and I am hopeless.

Something to think about

What kind of fruit are you bearing?